A punchless Braves lineup could add a couple of imposing, much-needed additions within the next week or two, with Freddie Freeman set to come off the disabled list Wednesday and the highly anticipated debut of Cuban third baseman Hector Olivera expected by late August.
Both played in Gulf Coast League games in Central Florida Thursday and Friday to begin injury-rehab assignments, with Braves officials in attendance. Freeman is returning from a strained oblique and Olivera from a hamstring he injured while playing for the Dodgers’ Triple-A team, prior to the recent three-team trade that brought 30-year-old Olivera and two others to the Braves and sent three Atlanta pitchers and infield prospect Jose Peraza to Los Angeles.